Facets of Salvation #7—Glorified Body

Christ has been raised from the dead. … As all in Adam die, so also all in Christ will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at his coming. 1 Corinthians 15:20–23

Resurrection makes eternal life really living! We have eternal life now as we experience Jesus’ response to our faith in our daily walk. Then when we die, we will gain an even more direct, intimate, and wonderful experience of his grace. But God’s wisdom originally decreed that we experience and appreciate his glory by means of grace dispensed physically, not just spiritually. The salvation Jesus brings is complete. He saves us soul and body. What we do in our bodies now is important. But what we’ll be able to do after we receive glorified bodies that are incorruptible is even more so. When Christ raises us, we will finally be delivered from sin in every way, so we will be able to know and appreciate God with only the limitations imposed by our finitude as created beings. Imagine doing this with perfect eyesight, hearing, taste, tactile sensation, balance, and coordination; as well as emotional and psychological maturity, self-control, and motivation. In the coming age, when God shows “the immeasurable riches of his grace in useful kindness toward us in Christ Jesus,” we will have no impediments to keep us from discerning and delighting in the glory he is displaying. Eventually we’ll be like we were supposed to be in the beginning: completely exposed and totally unashamed to be absolutely dependent on all that he is for us in Jesus.

Lord God, help me to be a channel of your glory now as I prepare for the full experience.